“Intricately incorporated into an infectious and addicting melody.“
“Doggerland” is the first album in a decade from Glasgow based multi-instrumentalist, producer, and artist Rudi Zygadlo. This 14 track third album from Zygadlo has taken 6 years to create and it has all been worth it. The tracks have been written and performed by Zygadlo under his own RZ Records label but mixed by Dave Eringa who has worked with huge talents including Kylie Minogue, The Who, and Manic Street Preachers. Included in “Doggerland” are two singles ‘In The Midden‘ and ‘Thriving Not Driving‘.
This album is very experimental, but not in the sense that it is random genres thrown together. Rather, this is experimental in a way that has allowed Zygadlo to showcase his vast musical influences, styles and talents. It feels like an album that has had immense thought and planning put into it. Whether you listen to modern artists like Declan McKenna and Franz Ferdinand or pop/rock predecessors such as Bowie and Prince, there’s something for everyone on ‘Doggerland’. At least one of the 14 tracks will give you the often desired sense of musical escapism. While the album is formed by a range of eclectic and mismatched tunes, this somehow makes them linear.
Zygadlo has unapologetically made songs that sound different, which is what I like most. He has made an album that he should be proud of, not simply producing what society typically wants or likes. A lot of the tracks centre around real-life issues that Zygadlo is obviously passionate about. For example ‘In The Midden‘ surrounds the concept of living alongside the rubbish we produce into the world. “We’re so good at wasting“, and “in the meantime everything is landfill so take a bigger handful” are lyrics pushing this. ‘Thriving Not Driving‘ follows the same process of discussing very topical subjects with lyrics like “now that the economy is dying“. However he pairs this with the infusion of addicting melodies.
In ‘Helmet On‘, the lyric “I can make it disappear, when I put this helmet on” is sung. This is followed later on by “the big divide is getting bigger everyday“. A talent that Zygadlo has adopted is versatile writing that keeps the conversation open, even though he is stating his own defining words. What are we wasting? What is he making disappear? This could be time, resources, material, problems: the list is endless. This is also a track that transfuses older rock into a modern twist, kind of like if David Bowie met Royal Blood. We also meet the Royal Blood influence in the album’s penultimate tune, ‘In The Styx‘. Other Bowie-esque tracks adding to Zygadlo’s distinctive sound include ‘Chattanooga‘ and ‘In The Midden‘.
Zygadlo demonstrates in tracks like ‘Selotape‘ his ability to effortlessly transition between his vocals and instrumental portions. Every song is so creatively constructed that there is no moment where you’d feel overwhelmed with noise, or think that one instrument undermined another. At several points throughout listening, there are various, sometimes lengthy, guitar solos in songs like ‘Under The Water Mother‘, and ‘In The Styx’. Some of the tracks are also a lot more guitar heavy, even without a dedicated part for a solo. In tunes like ‘Transport‘ and ‘Come On Through‘, guitar is a much more prevalent feature, even with bass being most heard in the latter song which is of a much more chilled and calmer sound.
Another tune that produces an enticing sound is ‘Somewhere In Glasgow‘. In tribute to the town where he is based, Zygadlo represents the city with unusual distorted sounds but these are intricately incorporated into an infectious and addicting melody. This also features a heavy inclusion of bass guitar with Zygadlo’s vocals also having a layer of distortion over them. This track in particular is my personal favourite because it is so unique. I also think that ‘Somewhere In Glasgow‘ somehow perfectly summarises “Doggerland” with it’s very well executed portrayal of a range of sounds and influences.
A couple of the tracks on this album aren’t songs but instead are sections where Zygadlo talks. They act as breaks in the album if you were listening in the presented order. The first of these is ‘This is Doggerland‘ which sounds as though Zygadlo has given himself a soundtrack and this is the theme tune. In this portion, he talks the listener through and summarises what has already been discussed as well as what “we’ve yet to hear“.
This album is one that was entirely worth the wait. From the singles produced earlier in the year, I was anticipating an incredible album, which is exactly what Rudi Zygadlo has delivered. He is an artist that makes the local Scottish music scene exciting to be in. With his diverse influences and extensive abilities, he is a musician that will continue to appeal to an exceptionally wide range of people. It’s a lengthy album but each song tells a story that a review like this can’t do justice. It’s one of those albums that you just have to listen to and experience personally.
You can see Rudi Zygadlo play tracks from this incredible album later this year. Check out the post below for more details.